Which case allowed counsel the right to access a juvenile’s records?

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The case that allowed counsel the right to access a juvenile’s records is Kent vs. US (1966). In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court established that juveniles have specific rights regarding their legal representation, including the right for their attorneys to access significant documents, such as their records, which can play a crucial role in their defense. This recognition was pivotal in ensuring that juveniles are afforded protections under the due process clause, akin to those available to adults in the criminal justice system.

The details of this case highlighted the importance of an informed legal representation for juveniles, supporting the idea that counsel must have all pertinent information—including prior records—to adequately defend their clients. The court emphasized the need for a fair process, which includes the right to access pertinent documents, thus setting a precedent that has influenced subsequent cases and practices involving juvenile rights.

This focus on due process and the rights of juveniles distinguishes Kent vs. US from other cases in the list, which did not address the specific issue of counsel's access to juvenile records in the same explicit manner.

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